2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf: First Preview

Throughout the young history of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Europe has won the war against America. Between Wrote and Pounced Europe has proven they are the major power in young turf horses. American juvenile turfers look to change this pattern this year with several prospects that could prove to do well on the firm California turf of Santa Anita.

I'm Boundtoscore won the only "win and your in", so far, for the Juvenile Turf. I'm Boundtoscore, who was 10-1 in the Summer Stakes at Woodbine, won by a 1/2 length to earn his birth to the Breeders' Cup. Owners Troy Rankin and Joe Davis certainly have what looks to be the best horse in their owning career. Besides I'm Boundtoscore, these two owners have only had 11 other starts. This will certainly be a cool story to follow.

Balance the Books broke his maiden in the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga over the summer and looked impressive in doing so. I was at Saratoga for his first start on August 4th and he stood out to me in the paddock. Balance the Books, by Lemon Drop Kid out of a Seeking the Gold mare SCREAMS turf. With trouble in the running of his first two starts, Balance the Books could be dangerous if he gets a good trip.

Java's War looks to be the hope from the south after barely beating out Brown Almighty in the Sunday Silence Stakes at Louisiana Downs. Java's War, trained by Kenny McPeek, won the gallant battle over the highly touted Brown Almighty.

As we are still waiting for confirmation on which European invaders will be coming to America (no pun intended), we'll have to stay tuned for the next American win and your in race, the Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland on October 7th.

Brown Almighty has trained so well and even with the tight loss to Java's War, he really ran the better race after having to set his own pace. With Torres on board now, and his recent workouts, I think he is a serious player and is only going to get better!!

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Long story short, I took the long road getting involved in the industry. I did not get into horse racing until 2008 when I came to Louisville for college.

I'm originally from outside of Philadelphia and attend college at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. Since I was 15 I was involved with working in radio and TV. I first covered horse racing at the 2011 Kentucky Derby and my passion just continues to grow. Let the early mornings begin and the Derby fever heat up as we hit the backside to get the exclusive stories leading up to the first Saturday in May.